June 19, 2013
US Military to Put Women in Key Combat Roles
The U.S. military says that within three years, it will put women in key combat positions from which they once were excluded. Officials from all four branches of the U.S. military gathered at the Pentagon Tuesday to announce a timeline for changes…
June 19, 2013
Mali Gov’t, Tuareg Rebels Sign Accord
Mali's government has signed a deal with Tuareg rebels that will allow the army to return to a key rebel-held city ahead of next month's elections. The deal was signed Tuesday in Burkina Faso's capital, Ouagadougou, in the presence of Burkinabe…
June 19, 2013
NSA Chief: Surveillance Programs Prevented 50+ Attacks
U.S. National Security Agency Director General Keith Alexander says NSA surveillance programs have helped prevent more than 50 terrorist attacks since 9/11. He said two recently disclosed surveillance programs that gather U.S. phone records and…
June 19, 2013
Chad Arrests Leader of Elephant Poaching Gang
Authorities in Chad have arrested the suspected leader of a poaching gang that is accused of slaughtering nearly 200 elephants. Idriss Hassan was arrested last week while transporting 124 elephant tusks. Environment Minister Mahamat Halikimi says…
June 19, 2013
Swiss Balk at Bank Disclosures to US Authorities
Swiss lawmakers are balking at ending the country's long-time bank secrecy tradition so the financial institutions can tell U.S. authorities about suspected American tax evaders. The lower house of the Swiss parliament voted overwhelmingly Tuesday…
June 13, 2013
Assad Used Chemical Weapons in Syria
The White House says it now has conclusive evidence that Syrian troops have used chemical weapons against rebels -- a move President Barack Obama has said would cross a "red line." Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes told reporters…
June 13, 2013
Erdogan to Meet With Second Group of Protesters
Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has invited a second group of anti-government protesters to a surprise late-night meeting after giving what he called a "final warning" to the marchers. The second delegation includes artists, actors…
June 13, 2013
Zimbabwe’s PM Vows to Fight Election Decree
Zimbabwe's prime minister, Morgan Tsvangirai, has vowed to fight a unilateral decision by President Robert Mugabe to hold national elections on July 31. Mr. Tsvangirai has accused his government coalition partner of acting "unconstitutionally."…
June 13, 2013
UN Says 93,000 Dead in Syria Conflict
The United Nations says nearly 93,000 people have been confirmed killed in Syria's war, although it warns the actual figure is probably much higher. The U.N. human rights office says the latest toll, which accounted for deaths until the end of…
June 13, 2013
Ethiopia Ratifies Controversial Nile Accord
Ethiopia's parliament has ratified a controversial treaty that would replace colonial-era agreements that give Egypt and Sudan the majority of water rights to the Nile River. The 547-member parliament voted unanimously for the treaty, on…